Swappable hot end for Creality
Suggested price: €3.00
Summary
I started my 3D printer upgrade series with the Quick tool change which is still one of my coolest upgrades. However, it missed something because if you change to a different tool, you always have to place the hot end somewhere. With the swappable hot end it is possible to disconnect the whole hot end like the Ultimaker printers. Another advantage of this, besides being able to disconnect your hot end, is that you can use different hot ends for different materials or nozzle diameters. After I came up with this idea I found a couple of similar approaches but nothing with which the bowden tube itself could be disconnected.
Another cool thing: if you use a laser engraver, you don’t have to add an extra wire or switches to your control board and you can just connect it directly.
Print Settings
Printer: Creality CR-10
Rafts: No
Supports: Doesn’t matter
Resolution: 0.2
Infill: 20%
Filament: Nylon CF
Mounting instructions
Parts needed
Depending on which type of holder you choose you need:
- An m3 tap for the tapped version (or screw the bolts in, that would probably work too)
- 4× m3 nuts for the nut version
- 6× m3 inserts https://www.onkenhout.nl/pdf/Multisert_zonder_kop/227/t/p part no. 137104 for the inserts version
What you need in general:
- 11W1 male and female connectors https://b2b.harting.com/ebusiness/nl/D-SUB-FE-11W1-with-solder-cup-S4-withou/09692015111 and https://b2b.harting.com/ebusiness/nl/D-SUB-MA-11W1-with-solder-cup-S4-without/09692115111
- D sub backshell size A (plastic is preferred because of its weight)
Instructions
You can use the pdf below with the wiring diagram which I recommend using. You can of course do it differently if that suits your purpose better.
If you press the collar onto the tube, use a bit of sanding paper to make it flat and use a 2mm drill to remove the burr from the inside of the tube. I did not do this at first and the material was blocked at the point where the two tubes meet in the connectors.
Disclaimer and warning
Use this thing at your own risk. It works for me, but you are modifying the hot end of a 3D printer. I cannot be held responsible if anything goes wrong and messes up your print, machine or if your house catches fire. Use common sense and always wear proper protection when using a laser head, grinder, drill etc.
Make sure that every time you print that the connector is tightened! Otherwise it will come loose while printing.
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